Virginia Mathematics Teacher Spring 2017

Information for Virginia’s K-5 Teachers

Computer Science Fundamentals (Grades K-5) Code.org offers an elementary school curriculum that allows even the youngest students to explore the limit- less world of computing. Courses blend online, self-guided and self-paced tutorials with “unplugged” activities that require no computer at all. One-day professional development workshops prepare teachers to start teach- ing each of our courses. Each course consists of 20 lessons that can be incorporated into any classroom at any pace. Even kindergarten-aged pre-readers can participate. Visit https://code.org/professional-development- workshops to learn more Additional Resources for SOL Test Preparation Standards of Learning Testing resources are available to ensure that students are familiar with the testing envi- ronment and online tools. TestNav 8 has some features with which teachers should become familiar and with which students may need practice. The table below provides a list of some of the testing resources available, how to access them, and the intended purpose.

Resource

Location/Access

Purpose

Elementary School Mathematics CAT Training Test Middle School MathematicsCAT Training Test

Access to a training center test is via a Student Authorization Ticket created in the Training Center. The Training Center is located at: www.pearsonaccess.com/ Select: Virginia in the dropdown menu Select: the Training Center Tab

Available Training Center Tests allow for student practice with: • signing in using a student test ticket; • selecting answer choices; • using the online tools; • practicing the procedures for exiting a test; and • practicing with the CAT format. The Training Center test should not be used to review the SOL test content.

Grant Opportunities The VCTM Continuing Education Grant program is a grant opportunity of up to $1,000 for a current VCTM member who is a current K-16 mathematics educator in Virginia. The purpose of the program is to provide funding support to a VCTM member who wishes to continue his/her education in mathematics or mathematics education. The funding for this grant can be used for tuition at an institution of higher learning, i.e. a two-year or four-year institution. Deadline December 1st. For grants through National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, please visit: http://www.nctm.org/Grants/

Virginia Mathematics Teacher vol. 43, no. 2

40